The surrounding seas of Oman
Oman is an amazing country because, at one point in your holiday, you can be in the desert area wishing you were near water, or the next moment you could be exploring a Wadi, taking a dip in clear blue water, or with you can even get to the coastline to see some amazing Oman sea.
Oman is surrounded by three bodies of water; The Arabian Sea, to the south and the east, The Gulf of Oman (The Sea of Oman) in the north, and finally, the Arabian Gulf in the northwest. Each different sea brings different coastlines to explore, different wildlife to see and different memories to be made.
We’ve already described the best beaches in Oman for you in another article and this time we will tell you all about the different Oman seas, so you can decide which is the best location to suit your holiday plans.
Oman’s marinas will give you more than you expected!
As you would expect from a country with a long coastline, Oman has a few marinas dotted around the country which is home to private boats and yachts and is also a place where tour operators launch their Oman sea tours.
If you’re the kind of person who likes to visit different marinas and look at sea vessels, we’ve picked out a few marinas in Oman which could take your fancy.
Hawana Salalah
Visually speaking, this marina is amazing. A series of calm waterways sit in front of the baron-looking desert making it quite the contrasting image. At the marina itself, you can view some of the spectacular boats which are berthed there, or you can choose to take up one of the things to do, which include:
- Staying in one of the properties across the 7km estate
- Enjoying a family show
- Embarking on an adventure on one of the white sandy beaches
Scuba diving in the Arabian Sea is something for thrill seekers!
Marina Bandar Al Rowdha
Marina Bandar Al Rowdha is perhaps Muscats most touristy Marina in terms of tour operators, ranging from dhow cruises, snorkeling and game fishing. This marina is situated very close to many popular tourists’ sites such as the Mutrah corniche, Al Alam Palace, National Museum and the Zubair Museum, making it a great location to participate in sea tour activities.
Almouj Marina
This marina is also located in Muscat so if you’re already in the capital you won’t have to travel far to get your sea vessel fix. For those looking to take part in fun water-based activities, Almouj Marina oman offers so much, including, jet skiing, diving trips, wakeboarding, standup paddle-boarding, and so much more! As you’d also expect, Almouj Marina is home to a huge range of private vessels which you can take a look at as part of your visit.
Barka Marina
This Oman marina promises to be unlike many other marinas you’ve ever visited in your lifetime. Although this project is still in its infancy, Barka Marina aims to bring the best of Oman in one place, from a thriving commercial sector to a tourist hotspot.
At Barka Marina, the offer is to allow people to enjoy such activities as shopping and dining, watersport entertainment, hotels and gyms.
Situated only a short distance from Muscat, this promises to be the epicentre of the booming Oman tourist scene.
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Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling
Take your opportunity to embark on an Oman Sea Tour
A splendid way to spend some of your Oman holiday is to take an Oman sea tour, which, under the supervision of a reputable local company will allow you to take to the water to partake in activities such as dolphin spotting or snorkelling.
One such company is called ‘Grand City Sea Tours’ who operate out of Marina Bander Al Rowdha Boat Club and can provide you with an epic Oman sea tour.
If you do embark on an excursion with these guys, some of the activities you can choose include:
- Dolphin watching trip
- Dolphin-watching and snorkeling
- Island excursion
- Fishing
- Glass bottom boat
Some of these days make for an exciting and unique family experience where the whole family will find enjoyment.
Several other companies operate in this area and are located around the north of the country. You can look for the following companies if you’d like to know more:
- Nomad Tours
- Oman Sea Tour
- Ocean Tours Oman
- BlueWave Oman
- Muscat Sea Tours
If you’re looking for a complete package with Dolphin watching and Snorkeling, please visit Sea Tours Oman Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling page.
For a fun-filled family swim head to Bandar Al Khairan
We’re heading over to Bandar Al Khairan next, which is located around 45 45-minute’ drive to the west of Muscat. The reason we’ve chosen to mention Bandar Al Khairan is because simply put, it’s a must-see destination when you visit Oman.
The bay at Bandar Al Khairan is swimmable for all abilities and due to a shallow water depth in most places it makes it an ideal location for family swims, or for those less comfortable in the water. As it sits in an enclosed bay, Bandar Al Khairan isn’t susceptible to as much wind as other coastal locations.
What’s also great about Bandar Al Khairan is that there are plenty of other activities which you can choose to do whilst there. You can hike up some of the nearby cliffs and mountains, or perhaps if paddle boarding or kayaking is your thing you’d prefer to rent some equipment, which can be done easily.
There are also plenty of camping spots and wildlife to fill your time at Bandar Al Khairan with enjoyment. If that still isn’t enough, we also highly recommend taking part in some snorkelling so you can see some of the fantastic sea creatures in their natural habitat.
Whilst we’re on the subject of Bandar Al Khairan, we also wanted to take a moment to specifically mention the Bandar Al Khairan viewpoint which will provide stunning views over the bay, the coastline and as far as your imagination can take you. If you also have time, taking in a sunset view from the Bandar Al Khairan viewpoint will provide you with amazing photo opportunities and a lifetime of memories.
One final point about Bandar Khayran is that it is a popular destination. Unfortunately, it is plagued by litter, so when you do visit, please don’t add to the problem, and if you can, take some away with you to make it a little bit better after your visit.
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Sunset Dhow Cruise Trip
When in Muscat, why not go and see some boats?
If viewing boats and luxury yachts is your thing, taking the time to visit Marina Bandar Al Rowdha is one for the captains amongst your crew!
Bandar Al Rowdha is the original marina located in Muscat and is situated at the foot of the Al Hajar Mountains.
Whilst this marina is home to many private boats and yachts, along with visitors being able to view these vessels, they can visit Bandar Al Rowdha to participate in an Oman sea tour.
An unforgettable Oman sea experience is to take part in a ‘Dhow Cruise’ which will keep you on the water for several hours allowing you to take in some of Oman’s fantastic scenery and wildlife aboard the comfort of a fantastic vessel.
There’s even a padel court at Bandar Al Rowdha so for all you racket sport enthusiasts there’s a chance to burn off a few calories in a fun and friendly environment.
Enjoy the sea, but be respectful
It’s pretty inevitable that whilst spending time in a country that experiences such hot weather and has some of the best beaches in the world you’re going to want to take at least one dip in the sea. The great news for you here is that the sea temperature in Oman generally stays around the late twenties and even gets above 30 degrees at certain times of the year.
That being said, you must respect the sea conditions in Oman and pay attention to any circumstances that could cause you difficulty, especially if you’re entering the water with children.
Looking specifically at Muscat, the sea conditions in Muscat can vary as it does lie on the Gulf of Oman (Sea of Oman) so similar to any other coastal destination, factors such as wind can make a huge impact on how the sea behaves.
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Fishing in Oman Adventure
Here are some top tips for dealing with the sea conditions in Muscat.
- Make sure you are used to swimming in the sea. This goes without saying but sea swimming can be dangerous, so make sure you are used to swimming in the sea before attempting sea swimming in Oman.
- Learn about riptides. These aren’t always present or clear to spot, but they can be devastating, so make sure you’re aware of how to spot a riptide and stay out of the water if you feel unsafe.
- Listen to lifeguards. Pay attention to the rules of the particular sea you’re swimming in, including any instructions from lifeguards.
- Check the tides. Make sure you’re aware of how the tide is going to behave before entering the water.
Make sure you’ve left enough time after eating and aren’t under the influence of alcohol. Being full from eating or under the influence of alcohol will make swimming much more difficult and could lead to you endangering yourself in the water.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oman Sea
Which sea is in Oman?
You may be more familiar with the term ‘The Gulf of Oman’ which is the body of water that lies directly north of Oman and links the Arabian Sea with the Hormuz Strait.
Is it safe to swim in the sea in Oman?
Mostly, yes, Oman’s seas are safe to swim in. Before entering the water, you should pay attention to the conditions and follow any lifeguard’s instructions to help you keep as safe as possible.
Generally, you also don’t have to worry about water wildlife in Oman as the creatures present in the water such as eels, sea snakes and jellyfish pose no substantial threat to humans, although there is a chance of getting stung.
Does Muscat have a sea?
Muscat is the capital city of Oman and it lies directly on the Gulf of Oman (Sea of Oman) which lies directly to the north of the entire country.
What body of water is Oman on?
Oman is situated on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is surrounded by three different bodies of water which are, The Arabian Sea, to the south and the east, The Gulf of Oman (The Sea of Oman) in the north, and finally, the Arabian Gulf in the northwest.
Can you swim in the Gulf of Oman?
For sure! There is nothing in particular to stop you from swimming in the Gulf of Oman, or any other sea in Oman, but just remember to be respectful to local culture and to avoid getting yourself into difficulty in bad sea conditions.
